How To Remove Oil Stains From Concrete

Driveway or garage looking a little dingy? Use our tips to freshen your concrete.

If you own an old car (or just a car, quite frankly), you may have experienced oil leaks while your car sits in your driveway or garage. Especially in cases where freshly poured concrete gets stained, those leaks can feel so demoralizing.

Let's be honest up front: Some stains and household messes are easier to treat and remedy than others. This one is a particularly heavy-duty job, requiring time, multiple tools, and several different cleaning products.

Essentially, the process is twofold: You'll need a chemical abrasive to lift the stain out, then something absorbent to help contain it and make it easy to remove. In some cases, using multiple liquid chemicals will be necessary, and there are a few different ways to tackle an oil stain depending on what you've got handy.

There are lots of columns online that recommend things like vinegar, dish soap, or other mild abrasives—while those methods may be effective at tiny, fresh stains, they won't make a dent in larger oil stains, especially if they're more than a couple of days old.

Though this is definitely a more labor-intensive job, don't let it scare you. There are ways to treat these stains and they're absolutely manageable! As Shania Twain once said: "Let's go, girls."

Related: The Ultimate Weekly Cleaning Checklist, According To An Expert

Before You Begin

Maybe the most important thing to note is that if an oil stain has been there for longer than a few days, it's likely going to be very difficult to remove. If, for example, you've recently moved into a house where a large oil stain is present in the garage, you may be able to lighten the stain, but you won't be able to eliminate it completely. However, if you're able to get to a stain within a couple of days, you have an excellent shot at fully removing it. Keep your expectations low and your hopes high as you move through the process!

Safety Concerns

As always, when working with abrasive chemicals, please make sure to protect your hands, eyes, and lungs. Wear mid-length rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and (especially if you're working in a poorly ventilated space) a mask as you work these stains out of your concrete. This chore requires lots of scrubbing and elbow grease, and taking proper precautions to ensure your safety is key.

You'll Need

• Wire brush or broom

• Trisodium phosphate (or TSP) in liquid form

• Kitty litter/baby powder/Oil Dri

• Gasoline (ONLY applicable in outdoor spaces, never for an indoor space)

• Degreaser

• Power washer (optional)

Method 1: TSP + An Absorbent

Tip

TSP comes in powder or liquid form. If using the powder, consult the instructions for proper ratios for mixing into water to form a paste. If using the liquid form, it can be poured directly onto a stain.

1. Make sure you're properly covered–long sleeves, gloves, and (if needed) protective eyewear and a mask.

2. Pour TSP directly onto the stain you're attempting to remove. The highly acidic nature of this product will instantly start breaking down the oily residue of the stain as much as it can (again, efficacy depends on how old the stain is). Allow TSP to sit, undisturbed, for approximately 30 minutes.

3. Using a wire brush or broom, work the TSP into the stain. The more integrated it is, the better shot you have of lifting it out.

4. Pour a generous amount of your absorbent (kitty litter, baby powder, or Oil Dri) directly on top of the treated stain. Allow the absorbent to work for about ten minutes, then sweep or scrape it off with a brush or flat-edged shovel before discarding.

5. As an added step, if available, use a power washer to completely remove the TSP. Alternately, you can pour a bucket of warm water over the top of the stain or hose it off.
   

Related: 12 Things In Your Garage To Toss Immediately

Method 2: Gasoline, Degreaser + An Absorbent

As already stated, do not use this method in a garage. Gasoline should only be used in an open-air space where there is no risk of fire damage. This method is only suitable for driveways or other outdoor spaces.

1. As with our first method, make sure you're protected and your surroundings are safe—particularly with regard to ensuring nothing that could spark a flame is nearby.

2. Pour gasoline generously over the stain. If it's a new stain, you can move straight to step 3. If it's older, allow it to soak in for 15-20 minutes before adding the absorbent.

3. Pour your absorbent of choice over the top of the gasoline. Work it into the stain using a wire brush or broom to ensure that both the gasoline and the residue from the stain itself are being fully coated and removed.

4. Thoroughly hose down (or power wash, if available) the affected area to assess whether the stain has been lifted or removed, using a shovel or broom to gather and discard the absorbent.

Optional: If you notice that the stain is nearly lifted but not quite completed, pour a degreaser over the stain and scrub it in with your wire brush or broom. Rinse with a hose or pour warm water over the top to remove.

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